Introduction: While power usage is a minor concern for rechargeable DBS devices, it remains a consideration while programming non-rechargeable DBS devices, as increased power usage will generally lead to decreased battery longevity. Newly available directional leads may add to these concerns, as the higher impedances of the smaller electrodes, coupled with the opportunity to selectively stimulate from one segmented electrode, could increase power usage. While the power of the output waveform may be calculated theoretically for a DBS device, internal power use and battery longevity depend on details of the device design. This study was carried out to compare model-predicted Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) battery longevity under various programming scenarios, including the use of directional leads with smaller, higher-impedance electrodes.
Methods: A model was developed and tested to characterize the power usage & battery characteristics of the Boston Scientific Vercise PC Implantable Pulse Generator. The model takes into account the details of the design of the Vercise PC IPG, program settings, and impedances to estimate device power usage. The model was applied to a range of programming settings and
electrode impedances. This model will be used to estimate battery longevity for a variety of programming scenarios.
Results: Battery longevity estimates for the Vercise PC system, including scenarios with use of the directional lead, will be reported.
Conclusions: Battery longevity can be affected by changes in programming. Battery longevity can be extended in some cases with the use of current steering on multiple electrodes.
Patient Care: Battery longevity can be extended in some cases with the use of current steering on multiple electrodes. This may help improve the quality of the patient experience with DBS.
Learning Objectives: To compare model-predicted Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) battery longevity under various programming scenarios, including the use of directional leads with smaller, higher-impedance electrodes.